Early stages of nail fungus

The early stages of onychomycosis (onychomycosis) occur without obvious symptoms.There are slight changes in the shape of the nail plate, there may be minimal discomfort, so diagnosing the disease at this stage is quite difficult.

Symptoms: what does nail fungus look like in the early stages?

The first signs of onychomycosis appear almost immediately after infection.If after visiting public places such as swimming pools, saunas, showering in the gym or the beach, your nails become dull and start to itch a little, these could be the first signs of onychomycosis.

Healthy nails are practically not susceptible to fungal infections.It begins to grow rapidly when exposed only to damaged nail plates.

In my arms

Nail fungus is more commonly diagnosed in women, but men are also susceptible to this disease.

The first symptoms of damage to the nail plate:

• The nail surface becomes dull;
• spots appear, usually white;
• Nails begin to change color, first yellow, then gray or brown;
• The nail begins to crumble at the edges, becomes brittle and peels;
• The skin around the plaque may begin to peel and swell, but in the early stages of the disease this rarely happens.

On my feet

You can recognize toenail fungus through typical symptoms:

• The top or side of the nail begins to turn yellow;
• The nail plate gradually thickens;
• The nail plate becomes dull, the base cannot be seen through it;
• The nail begins to peel away from the nail bed;
• there is a slight itching in the fingers;
• has an unpleasant foot odor.

If treatment is not started promptly, stage 1 of onychomycosis will progress rapidly.As a result, the nail becomes deformed and may fall off completely.Toxic toxins released during the life of pathogenic fungi enter the bloodstream and spread throughout the body.This leads to a decrease in metabolism and dysfunction of internal organs.

Important!Start treating nail fungus at the first symptoms of the disease.

Treats the early stages of fungus

In most cases, to treat the initial stages of onychomycosis, it is enough to apply drugs that have a local effect directly on the affected nail.Pills and injections are prescribed for more advanced stages.

Folk remedies are used to treat nails at home.It is better to combine them with pharmacological drugs for external effect.

Folk remedies

There are many folk remedies that will help cure fungal nails in the early stages.Consider effective yet simple recipes.

1. Iodine – apply 1 drop of 5% iodine to the affected nail daily until symptoms disappear.The procedure is performed in the morning and also in the evening.More information on iodine treatment.
2. Mix 1 teaspoon of iodine, vinegar, glycerin and dilute with 6 tablespoons of water.Rub your nails with the resulting mixture for 10 consecutive days.The composition on the nail plate must be left overnight.
3. Vinegar – prepare a bath by diluting 1 part 9% vinegar with 8 parts warm water.Fly your feet or hands in it for 20 minutes.Perform 7 procedures per day.More documents on vinegar handling.
4. Egg ointment - put a raw egg in its shell in a glass and pour 9% vinegar on top.When the shell dissolves, remove the remaining membrane and mix the egg with vinegar.Apply the resulting mixture twice a day to the affected areas for 2-3 weeks.
5. Hydrogen peroxide – dilute 2 tablespoons of 3% hydrogen peroxide in 2 quarts of water.Steam your hands or feet, depending on the location of the fungus, for 20 minutes.Repeat the procedure for 7-10 consecutive days.
6. Peroxide compress - soak a cotton ball with peroxide and apply to nails showing signs of fungus.Before that, your hands or feet need to be steamed in a bath of carbonated water.To prepare, 1 teaspoon of soda is diluted in 1 liter of water.The top of the compress is wrapped in cellophane or cling film and left for 60 minutes.This is necessary so that the peroxide does not evaporate.Repeat the procedure for 10-14 days, twice a day.
7. Propolis tincture - dip a cotton ball in 20% propolis tincture and apply to the affected area.Keep the lotion on until the composition dries.Repeat daily until recovered.1-2 procedures per day are enough.
8. Detergent is the appropriate method for treating toenails.You need to dissolve 100 g of alkaline laundry detergent in 2 liters of water.Soak your feet in this bath for 15 minutes.Repeat 10-14 procedures until symptoms disappear.
9. Garlic – cut a peeled clove of garlic, dip it in salt and rub it on your nail plate.Repeat twice daily until symptoms disappear.
10. Ammonia – dilute 1 tablespoon ammonia in 1 cup water.Cotton fabric is impregnated with the resulting solution.You need to wrap your leg or arm with it and leave the compress overnight.Repeat the procedure for 7 days every day.
11. Onion – cut the onion into a paste and apply it to the affected nail for 30 minutes.Repeat twice a day until recovered.

12. Mix chamomile, sage, mint, you can take dry or fresh herbs.Place the resulting mixture in a sock or glove overnight.Herbs need to be changed every evening.Repeat the process in combination with other recipes until the symptoms of the fungus disappear.
13. Boric acid - cotton swabs soaked in boric acid are applied to pre-steamed nails.You need to keep the lotion on for 30 minutes.The procedure is repeated for 10 consecutive days every day.
14. Celandine and tea tree oil - mix these products in equal proportions, soak the gauze bandage with the resulting mixture and apply to the nails for 20 days continuously for 45 minutes.The formula is contraindicated for pregnant women.
15. Soda – dilute baking soda with a small amount of water to create a paste.Apply to nails for 20 minutes, then rinse with warm water for 10-12 days, twice a day.
16. Apple cider vinegar - diluted with olive oil.The required ratio is 2 parts vinegar and 1 part oil.Apply the mixture to the affected nail plates until the nails grow completely.
17. Tea tree oil – apply a few drops of oil to your nails until the fungal areas on your nails are completely grown.
18. Willow tree – chop 500 g of young shoots, add 2 liters of water, boil.Make hand or foot baths three times a week from the prepared decoction for 20 minutes until recovery.
19. Nettle – mix 3 tablespoons of nettle leaves in 400 ml of water.Soak a cotton swab with this decoction and apply to the nail plates twice a day until recovery.
20. Crush rowan leaves and apply a thick layer on the nails, then cover with cling film for 30 minutes.Repeat the procedure daily for 12-14 days.

Before using folk remedies, it is necessary to check whether the individual is allergic to the ingredients of the formula.

Medicines

After determining the type of fungus that has affected the nail, your doctor will choose a medication that will help destroy it.It is most convenient to treat the initial stages of onychomycosis with topical agents: varnishes, ointments and creams.Let's consider the most effective drugs.

Varnish for fungal diseases

They are effective precisely at stage 1 of mycosis, when no more than 50% of the surface of the nail plate is affected.This product is easy to use and adheres well to the nail, thanks to which the active ingredients penetrate deep into the affected nail and do not peel off.

The most popular types of varnishes:

1. Ciclopirox is active against 58 types of fungi.Varnish is applied every day.If symptoms do not improve within 1 month, the frequency of use will be reduced to 2 times/week.During the 3rd and following months of treatment, varnish is applied once a week.Side effects of this remedy include hives and itching.It is contraindicated for pregnant and lactating mothers, as well as children under 10 years of age.
2. Amorolfine - kills many types of fungi.Apply to the affected nail area twice a week until they grow back.Not prescribed for children, pregnant women or nursing mothers.Use of this product may increase brittleness of nails.

Antifungal ointments and creams

Contains optimal concentrations of active ingredients to fight fungus.

List of effective drugs:

1. Naftifine, apply twice a day until the affected nail grows, then continue using for another 2 weeks to consolidate the results.Side effects - may be itchy and go away quickly.Contraindications: pregnancy, age under 12 years old.
2. Ketoconazole is an ointment that quickly stops the growth of fungi.You need to apply it on the affected nails until they grow back twice a day.Side effects - allergies.Contraindications for use – presence of cracks or damage on the nails.
3. Clotrimazole, kills all types of fungi.Treatment duration is one month.The cream is applied daily three times a day.No side effects were identified.Contraindications: pregnancy.

Before each use of varnish, as well as ointments and creams, the nails must be prepared.To do this, it is steamed, then cut off as much as possible.You should try to remove the affected areas with a nail file.An individual tool must be used for each nail.

In rare cases, when the disease progresses very quickly, your doctor may prescribe oral medications.Fluconazole, Itraconazole, Ketoconazole, Terbinafine have antifungal effects.

prevent

Always follow preventative measures to eliminate or at least minimize the possibility of fungal nail infections.

Simple recommendations will help:

• Do not go barefoot in public baths, swimming pools or saunas.In such establishments, you must always wear your own slippers and must not let anyone else use them.
• Wear comfortable shoes made from natural materials.Do not press, rub, cause discomfort or damage the nail plate or the skin surrounding the nail.
• Don't wear other people's shoes.In stores, you should only try on shoes while wearing socks.
• For manicures and pedicures, bring your own kit and it should be disinfected regularly.
• Maintain good hygiene.After water procedures, always dry your feet and hands.
• Strengthen your immune system, take vitamins and mineral complexes regularly.
• If cracks appear on the nails and wounds on the skin around the nail plate, urgent treatment is required.

No one is immune to fungal diseases.Even if you practice good hygiene and try to eliminate the possibility of infection, if you notice typical symptoms of fungus, consult your doctor immediately.The sooner you start treating nail fungus, the less harm it will cause to your body.Don't self-medicate;Only a qualified doctor can prescribe an effective course of treatment.If you try to treat the early stages of fungus yourself, the disease may progress.